One of South Melbourne's newest residential towers extends its leafy motif far beyond its name to include a leaf-screened facade as well as living walls, indoor planters and a lush rooftop garden. The perforated aluminum louvers on the north and west facades of the <a href="http://www.elmapartments.com.au/home.html" target="_blank">Elm Apartments</a> provide the interior spaces with critical shading from the Australian sun, as well as privacy. Designed by Melbourne-based <a href="http://www.e-f.com.au/ajax/" target="_blank">Elenberg Fraser Architects</a>, the 252-apartment tower is reflective of the ‘green’ elements of its location between the Boulevard and the Bay. The architectural design and energy efficiency strategies work to enhance the tower's commitment to the environment.

In keeping with the theme of the trees and the surrounding lush vegetation, Elenberg Fraser decided to use the leaf motif throughout.

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Elm Apartments-Elenberg Fraser Architects

The east side features an elm leaf image woven intricately across the white facade.

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Elm Apartments-Elenberg Fraser Architects

eanwhile the west and the north facades feature louvered sunshades that work to create privacy between the apartments and to provide shade from the sun.

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Elm Apartments-Elenberg Fraser Architects

Viewed from various angles these fins become leaves dripping from the elm tree.

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Elm Apartments-Elenberg Fraser Architects

They dramatically reduce the heat load between 12-3 pm ensuring the apartments don't overheat and the cooling load is minimized.

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Elm Apartments-Elenberg Fraser Architects

A <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/vertical-garden">green wall</a> around the outside of the ground floor invites you inside leading to another vertical garden inside the lobby.

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Elm Apartments-Elenberg Fraser Architects

From there you take the elevator up to the fifth floor podium and rooftop gardens where there is a rooftop pool, mod shaded decks, lush vegetation and more green walls

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Elm Apartments-Elenberg Fraser Architects

Artist rendering of the exterior.

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Elm Apartments-Elenberg Fraser Architects

Artist rendering of the lobby.

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Elm Apartments-Elenberg Fraser Architects

Artist rendering of the lobby.

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Elm Apartments-Elenberg Fraser Architects

Artist rendering of the living room in an apartment.

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Elm Apartments-Elenberg Fraser Architects

Artist rendering of the pool deck.

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Elm Apartments-Elenberg Fraser Architects

One of South Melbourne's newest residential towers extends its leafy motif far beyond its name to include a leaf-screened facade as well as living walls, indoor planters and a lush rooftop garden. The perforated aluminum louvers on the north and west facades of the Elm Apartments provide the interior spaces with critical shading from the Australian sun, as well as privacy. Designed by Melbourne-based Elenberg Fraser Architects, the 252-apartment tower is reflective of the ‘green’ elements of its location between the Boulevard and the Bay. The architectural design and energy efficiency strategies work to enhance the tower's commitment to the environment.